Braun Wins Republican U.S. Senate Primary

Businessman and former state Rep. Mike Braun will square off this fall with incumbent U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.).

Braun emerged the victor Tuesday from a bruising Republican primary against U.S. Reps. Luke Messer and Todd Rokita.

The Jasper Republican, who owns an auto parts distribution empire, largely self-funded his campaign as he positioned himself as the political outsider in the race. That’s despite more than a decade in elected office – first on a local school board, then three years at the Statehouse. Braun also faced questions about that business – specifically, lawsuits alleging unsafe work practices and a failure to properly compensate employees.

The former state lawmaker secured victory in the primary in part by fending off attacks over his voting history – Braun cast Democratic ballots in primary elections for decades but asserts he’s a lifelong Republican.

He’ll now face Donnelly in November’s general election. Donnelly is one of 10 Democratic senators up for re-election this year in states President Donald Trump won in 2016.